Courts / Galway / Report
Men who kidnapped addict and subjected him to "degrading and sadistic attack" have sentences reduced on appeal
Summary
In 2014, the Criminal Court of Appeal reduced the sentences of Aurelius Zrielskies (39) and Gintautas Bagdonas (35), both Lithuanian, who had kidnapped and violently assaulted an addict in May 2010 over a €2,200 drug debt. The original trial had sentenced them to 12 years' imprisonment for false imprisonment, with two years suspended, and four years for assault. The appeal court found the judge had erred in the false imprisonment sentence, deeming a 10‑year term more appropriate. The final three years of the original sentence were suspended, and both men were required to serve an 18‑month probationary period after release. The appeal did not alter the assault convictions, which remained at four years each. The case highlighted the severity of the kidnapping and assault, as described by Garda Inspector Michael Coppinger and the DPP's counsel.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Men who kidnapped addict and subjected him to "degrading and sadistic attack" have sentences reduced on appeal. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 2010 Incident
- May 2012 Incident
- 2014-07-17 Publication
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime
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